Highway sand spreader



Feb. 14, 1939. E. w. SEWARD HIGHWAY SAND SPREADER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed April 5, 1957 .EE!,.. Y

Inventor Feb. 14, 1939.

E. W. SEWARD HIGHWAY SAND SPREADER original Filed April 5, 1937 5 sheets-sheet 2 orneys Feb. 14, i939. E WA SEWAR 2,147,219

HIGHWAY SAND S PREADER -Original Filed April 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 S v v I I Invennr Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE Application April 5, 1937, Serial No. 135,183 Renewed July 16, 1938 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in sand spreaders for highways and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of this character embodying a novel arrangement whereby the sand is spread forwardly of the rear wheels of the Vehicle, thereby permitting said vehicle itself to have the benefit of said sand as it travels over the highway.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned character embodying novel means, including a ground wheel, for actuating the sand spreading mechanism.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a sand spreader of the character set forth embodying means whereby the spreading mechanism may be readily controlled.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a highway sand spreader which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly ecient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a highway sand spreader constructed in accordance with the present invention, a portion of the device being broken away in section.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of a. portion of the invention, the wheel lifting rod being shown in section.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the body of the vehicle, showing the spreader installed.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises pairs of spaced, metallic hangers I which depend from the side members 2 of the vehicle frame at points forwardly of the rear wheels 3 of said vehicle. Extending between the lower end portions of the hangers I is a metallic bar 4. The reference numeral 5 designates a body on the frame members 2, said body having an opening 6 in the bottom I thereof. Depending from the bottom 'I of the body 5 is a .discharge neck or spout 8 which receives sand through the opening 6. Of course, the body 5 is for the reception of the sand to be spread.

Fixed on the transversely extending bar 4 is a metallic box 9 having journaled therein vertical and horizontal shafts I0 and II, respectively, which are operatively connected by bevelled gears I2. Fixed on the upper end portion of the shaft I0 for rotation beneath the -discharge spout 8 and for receiving sand therefrom is a disk I3 having upstanding radial ribs or fins I4 thereon.

The reference numeral I5 designates a horizontally extending drive shaft which is connected, at its inner end, to the shaft II by a suitable universal joint I6. The shaft I5 is adapted for swinging movement in a vertical plane between a pair of the hangers I and has fixed on its outer end a pneumatic tire equipped ground wheel II. Extending downwardly and outwardly from the adjacent pair of hangers I is a pair of guides I8 for the drive shaft I5, said drive shaft having mounted thereon a suitable roller I9 which travels between said guides.

The ground wheel I1 is adapted to be raised and lowered through the medium of means including a vertical rod 20 having its lower end connected to the hub 2| of the ground wheel I'I by a ball and socket connection 22. On the upper end of the rod 20 is an elongated socket 23. The socket 23 slidably receives the smooth lower end portion of a screw shaft 24 which extends slidably through a bracket 25 which projects from the adjacent side of the body 5. Threadedly mounted on the upper portion of the screw 24 and adapted to rest on the bracket 25 is a nut 26 which is provided with suitable operating arms 21. A finger 28 projects from the body 5 for holding the nut 26 down on the bracket 25. Mounted in the lower end portion of the screw shaft 24 is a pin 29 which travels in a slot 30 in the socket 23.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Sand from the body 5 drops by gravity through the opening 6 and the discharge neck 8 onto the disk I3. As the machine travels over the highway with the wheel I'I engaged with the ground and, of course, driven thereby, the disk I3 is rotated at the desire-d speed for throwing the sand therefrom by centrifugal force and uniformly spreading or distributing the sand over the highway. Of course, the universal joint I6 CJI permits the ground Wheel Il to readily ride over any irregularities that are encountered in the highway. A coil spring 3| (see Fig. 1) is provided in the socket 23 and engaged with the lower end of the screw shaft 24 for yieldingly urging the ground wheel I1 downwardly into engagement with the highway. The shaft I5 swings between the guides I8. To render the mechanism inoperative, the nut 26 is rotated in a direction to elevate the screw shaft 24 and the rod 20, thus lifting the wheel I1 out of engagement with the ground. The pin 29, which is engaged in the slot 30, permits limited vertical movement of the rod 20 independently of the screw shaft 24. If desired, suitable means may be provided for controlling the flow of sand through the discharge neck 8.

It is thought that the many advantages of a highway sanding machine constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of said machine is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed isz- 1. A highway sanding machine comprising a body for the reception of sand, said body having a discharge opening therein, pairs of spaced hangers beneath the body, a bar extending between said pairs of hangers, a box mounted on said bar, vertical and horizontal shafts journaled in said box, gears connecting said shafts, a spreader disk fixed on the vertical shaft, a drive shaft connected to the horizontal shaft for swinging movement in a vertical plane and operable between a pair of the hangers, a ground wheel fixed on the free end portion of said drive shaft, guides on said pair of the hangers, a roller on the drive shaft operable between the guides, and means for raising and lowering the ground wheel.

2. A highway sanding machine comprising a body for the reception of sand, said body having a discharge opening therein, pairs of spaced hangers beneath the body, a bar extending between said pairs of hangers, a box mounted on said bar, vertical and horizontal shafts journaled in said box, gears connecting said shafts, a spreader disk fixed on the vertical shaft, a drive shaft connected to the horizontal shaft for swinging movement in a vertical plane and operable between a pair of the hangers, a ground wheel iixed on the free end portion of said drive shaft, guides on said pair of the hangers, a roller on the drive shaft operable between the guides, and means for raising and lowering the ground wheel, said means including a rod pivotally connected to the hub portion of the yground wheel, a socket on one end of said rod, a screw shaft slidably engaged in the socket and having a pin and slot connection therewith, and a hand operated slot threadedly engaged with the screw shaft for raising and lowering same.

ERIK W. SEWARD. 

